More than 15,000 rally in New York to support troops

NEW YORK - More than 15,000 union workers and relatives of service members rallied at Ground Zero Thursday to show their support for American troops fighting in Iraq.

Among the crowd was Joan Stewart of Houston, who rushed to the rally after hearing about it while visiting here. She held up a photograph of her stepson, Cpl. Heath Long, 28, who is assigned to a Marine helicopter unit in Iraq.

Many in the crowd along with politicians who spoke saw a connection between the war and the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center.

Chants of "USA! USA!" filled the air. Many waved American flags and signs proclaiming pro-war sentiments.